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We report the first finding of the stygobiotic form of the cyprinid fish Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843), discovered in a single locality in southwestern Iran, while the epigean form of the species is widely distributed in western Asia (Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria). We also report a new locality for its hypogean congener, Garra tashanensis, about 5 km east of its type locality. The two species occur in syntopy in out-flows of the Tang-e-Ban, a seasonal karstic spring that only has flowing water during winter and spring, when fish individuals are washed from the cave to the surface. Identification of the investigated samples was confirmed by morphological analyses, COI distances, and a phylogenetic tree. These findings suggest the existence of a large karst aquifer in the Tashan area that harbours several cave species of fish, crustaceans, and gastropods and may have considerable conservation implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the antibacterial resistance profile of Aeromonas hydrophila (n = 42) isolated from the 100 hemorrhagic septicemia‐suspected carp in Gilan, Iran. The prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons, antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) and virulence factor genes (VFG) among these isolates was investigated using PCR. Also, the possible association between the presence of VFGs and the antibiotic resistance profile of isolates was assessed. The majority of A. hydrophila isolates (83·33%) exhibited multi‐drug resistance (MDR) profile, and all isolates were resistant to clindamycin, while all isolates were susceptible to amikacin. intI1 and intI2 gene was found in 26·2 and 4·8% isolates, respectively. This is the first report of the presence of the intI2 gene in A. hydrophila isolates in Iran. The blaTEM (40·5%) and tetA (33·3%) genes were found as the predominant ARGs. The most frequently detected VFGs were lip and ahh1(90·5%), while the examined isolates carrying at least three VFGs and the most prevalent VFGs profile was ast+, act+, alt+, ahhl+, aerA+, ahyB+ and lip+. The results of this study indicate a positive association between the presence of VFGs and antibiotic resistance, and most MDR A. hydrophila isolates showed high frequencies of VFGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare body shape variations and meristic plasticity among four populations of Alburnoides idignensis fish from Aab-barik, Aab-Sardeh, Darband and Sarab-e Kayvareh rivers in Tigris River Drainage, Persian Gulf Basin of Iran. Geometric morphometric method was used to compare shape data extracted by recording 15 landmark points on 2-D pictures of 94 specimens collected from the rivers by electrofishing and a seine net. The principal component analysis, Canonical Variate analysis and MANOVA analysis were used to examine shape differences among the populations. Eight meristic traits including number of lateral line scales (LL), scales above and below LL to ventral fin, pre-dorsal scales, dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic branched rays were counted under a stereomicroscope and mean number of the data were compared by Kruskal--Wallis and ANOVA in SPSS software. Significant differences were found among the four populations in all meristic traits but the number of LL scales and in their body shape, separating them from each other. Results revealed that the studied populations have some differences in meristic characters and in the shape and size of the head, body, caudal peduncle and ventral and anal fin position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capoeta raghazensis, new species, is described from the Raghaz Canyon, Hormuz basin, southern Iran. It is distinguished from its congeners in Iran by having one pair of barbels, a moderately ossified last unbranched dorsal-fin ray which smaller than head length; no black spots on head, body and dorsal fin; 69-77 lateral line scales; 11-13 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line; 9-10 scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line; 11-14 total gill rakers, small barbels (7-13% HL), short head (20-24% SL), and short pectoral fin (10-15% SL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capoeta aculeata (Valenciennes, 1844) is native to Iran and little is known about its biology. Some biological characteristics of this species were examined in 120 male and 257 female specimens collected monthly from the Gizehrud River of Lorestan Province (Tigris basin, Iran) during July 2014-June 2015. The maximum age of the specimens, based on scale reading, was 6+ years for both males and females. The most frequent age group was 4+ in both sexes. Fork length ranged from 12.2 to 20.8 cm (17.4±1.2SD) and weight ranged between 32-188 g (93.6±21.8SD). Sex ratio was 1M:2.1F. Based on macroscopic gonad observation, maturation cycle consisted of four stages: Developing, spawning, regressing and regeneration phases. The GSI index indicated that reproduction of C. aculeata in Gizehrud occurred between April and May, with the highest value average of 6.37 for males and 11.91 for females in May. Oocyte diameters ranged from 0.57 to 1.88 mm, with a mean value of 0.87 mm. Absolute fecundity ranged between 3000 and 19500 (8300±3400) eggs. Absolute fecundity and fish size (fork length and total weight) were moderately correlated. Relative fecundity varied from 50 to 140 (80±20) eggs per gram of total body weight. This fish is a synchronous spawner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive characteristics of Chondrostoma regium in Bibi-Sayyedan River, Iran, were investigated by monthly collections from March 2010 to March 2011. The 471 collected specimens were transferred to the laboratory on ice and biometric measurements were carried out. For the histological studies, gonads were fixed in 10% formalin, hydrated and casted in paraffin, then sectioned transversely at 5-7 µm thickness and stained with Hematoxylin–Eosin. The sex ratio was 1M:2.3F. Age groups of the males and females were 1-4 and 1-5 years. The maximum length (TL) and weight of males was 18.1 cm and 65 g and those of females were 22 cm and 91 g. The minimum and maximum absolute fecundity was 600 and 6500 (3300±200). The average egg diameter was 0.65±0.01 (±SE) mm, the minimum and maximum egg diameter was 0.27 and 1.70 mm. The mean of gonadosomatic index (GSI) was 1.53±0.1 in males and 4.37±0.24 g in females. The GSI showed significant differences in different months in both males and females. The maximum value of GSI in females was observed in March and was significantly different from that of other months. According to histological studies, five sexual maturity stages including: immature, in maturing, ripening, ripe and spent, were observed. Based on GSI values, egg diameter and histological studies, it can be expressed that this species has a short spawning period during late March to early April. Our results indicated that the ovary in king nase is group synchronous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteological structure of Alburnoides holciki Coad & Bogutskaya, 2012 from Hari River was described. Three specimens were cleared and stained for osteological examination and its detailed osteological characteristics and differences with available osteological data of other members of the family Cyprinidae, subfamily Leuciscinae, were provided. The genus Alburnoides had no unique osteological characteristics that can be used for genus identification. However, there are much variation in the osteological structures of the specimens, especially, the caudal skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the osteological structure of the Garra rossica, ten specimens were collected from the Mashkid Basin, Iran. After fixation into 10% buffered formalin, they were cleared and stained for osteological examination. Then its detailed osteological description was provided and compared with the available congeners in the genus Garra and other cyprinids. Based on the results, some differences have been found in different bones, including neurocranium, upper and lower jaws, pectoral and pelvic girdles, dorsal, anal and caudal fins skeleton, and circumorbital series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coad barb, Capoeta coadi Alwan, Zareian and Esmaeili, 2016, is a newly described endemic fish in Beheshtabad River, Tigris basin of Iran and little is known about its life-history. Life history characteristics were examined in 426 specimens collected monthly from Beheshtabad River (central Iran) during May 2013 to May 2014. The sex ratio was 1M:0.7F. Based on scale and opercular readings, the maximum ages of the population were 8+ years for females and 7+ for males. The most frequent age groups were 3+ and 4+ in males and females, respectively. Size varied from 8.94 to 42.95 cm in fork length and weight between 10.3 and 1255.5 g. Length–weight relationship implied that the growth was negatively allometric for both sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth model was estimated as Lt =35.97[1‑e‑0.205(t+0.586)] and Lt = 49.31[1‑e ‑0.162(t‑0.208)] for males and females, respectively. The growth performance index was estimated as 5.58 and 5.97 for males and females, respectively, indicating a faster growth rate for females. The Coad barb, Capoeta coadi Alwan, Zareian and Esmaeili, 2016, is a newly described endemic fish in Beheshtabad River, Tigris basin of Iran. Tigris basin not only is one of the largest and most important basins of Iran, but also of the Asia and Middle East. However, there is no information on the biology of this fish. In this study we determined some growth characteristics of C. coadi including the age and size compositions, sex ratio, growth pattern, length-weight relationship, von Bertalanffy growth model and growth performance index, in Beheshtabad River, a tributary of Karun River in Tigris basin. This information provide the basic data for management, conservation and possibly aquaculture of this fish in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of algae-scraping cyprinid of the genus Capoeta Valenciennes, 1842 is described from the Kheyroud River, located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea basin in Iran. The species differs from other members of this genus by a combination of the following characters: one pair of barbels; predorsal length equal to postdorsal length; maxillary barbel slightly smaller than eye's horizontal diameter and reach to posterior margin of orbit; intranasal length slightly shorter than snout length; lateral line with 46-54 scales; 7-9 scales between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line, and 6-7 scales between anal-fin origin and lateral line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight ( LWR) and length-length ( LLR) relationships were estimated for 11 Alburnoides species from 15 localities throughout Iran. These represent the first reports of LWR and LLRs data for 10 species, including: Alburnoides coadi (40 specimens), A. damghani (30), A. eichwaldii (110), A. holciki (30), A. idigensis (113), A. namaki (30), A. nicolausi (30), A. parhami (30), A. qanati (30) and A. tabarestanensis (30) and first LLR data for A. samiii. Nine of these species are endemic and two are native to Iran. The length-weight parameter b for these species ranged from a minimum of 2.94 for Alburnoides nicolausi to a maximum of 3.37 for Alburnoides parhami, with regression coefficients ( r 2) ranging from 0.91 to 0.99. All LLRs were highly significant ( r 2 > 0.96). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb) were investigated in sediment and cyprinid fish (Capoeta razii) from Telar River, Iran in spring, summer, and autumn. Mean concentration of metals in fish and sediment over the seasonal sampling was as follows: Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. Metal deposition in sediment was higher than their bioaccumulation in fish tissue. Unlike sedimentary metals, the tissue-content of Pb and Cr varied seasonally. Enrichment Factor (EF) values of Cr and Ni showed partial enrichment, implicating the role of anthropogenic inputs, while Pb was derived from natural weathering. When considering Pollution Load Index (PLI), an uneven temporal and spatial distribution of contamination was observed in sediment with moderate contamination level in spring and summer and no pollution in autumn. Tissue-contents of Pb, Cr, and Cd were below permissible limits while a higher risk level of Ni was noted for human consumption., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Fishes are widely introduced and translocated aquatics due to anthropological activities. The present study reports first record of the rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) in Iran. Five specimens of L. rohita were collected from the Karun River, Tigris River drainage, near Shushtar city, Khuzestan Province, Iran. This species probably escaped from rearing farms around the Karun River due to careless management. Therefore, an effective management strategy required to minimize their negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iranocypristyphlops (Cyprinidae) is endemic to Iran. A cave in Lorestan Province, located in western Iran in the Zagros Mountains, is the type locality of this fish. Recently the same species was reported in Ilam Province, but this observation has not been verified. To describe the microhabitat of Iranocypris typhlops, we used standard laboratory methods to quantify chemical and physical conditions of the cave's aquatic environment. Sampling was conducted three times, during December of 2009, mid May and mid July of 2010. We used a Peterson and Schnabel mark-recapture sampling during an 8-day period in 2010 and estimated the fish population of the cave between 300 to 600 individuals. Our study can be used to direct conservation efforts to protect this rare and potentially threatened fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study presents length–weight relationships (LWRs) and length–length relationships (LLRs) for three algae‐scraper species; Capoeta coadi from the Kouhrang River (Iran; 32°23′N, 50°08′E) a part of the Tigris drainage basin, Capoeta pyragyi from Cheshmeh Langan River (32°55′N, 50°10′E) a part of Zayanderud River basin and Capoeta umbla from Chooman River (35°57′N, 45°47′E). Fish were sampled by electro fishing (Samus1000; Power Out: 200 watts) in August, September and October 2017. Sampling was carried out each months in sites covering an area of about 100 m2 including runs, riffles and pools at a water depth of 10–60 cm. The obtained LWRs and LLRs showed a high level of correlation (r2 > 0.99). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of Cd, Ni, and Pb were measured in the liver and muscle tissues of benthic omnivorous (Barbus grypus) and pelagic herbivorous (Tenualosa ilisha) fish collected from two sampling sites along the Karoon River, Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. Potential human health risks were evaluated by measuring the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The results highlight the important role of habitat and feeding habits in the uptake of HMs by the two species. The EDI for all HMs exceeded the oral reference doses (RfDo) provided by the USEPA, indicating the two fish species are not entirely safe for human consumption. The THQ values were within the permissible limit (< 1), while HI values (> 1) showed there was non-carcinogenic risk for consumers. The TR values for Pb were within the acceptable range (1.00E-06-1.00E-04) for both species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine and compare the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in carp-farming water and muscle of various carp species including common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) collected from three major warm-water fish farms in Mazandaran Province (Iran) during March 2018 to March 2019. In addition, bioaccumulation of heavy metals (BCFs) and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessments of consumers exposed to heavy metals through fish consumption were estimated. The water concentration of all metals in this study was lower than permissible limits. The concentration of Zn in the water (10.21-17.11 μg L -1 ) was higher than that of other metals in all sites, followed by Pb > Cd > Hg. In fish muscle, Zn concentration in silver carp was the highest, and the lowest concentrations were related to Hg and Cd in common carp and grass carp, respectively. The target hazard quotients (THQ) indicated that the non-carcinogenic health risk to humans was relatively low by consuming four farmed carp species products. The carcinogenic risk of inorganic Pb was 1.24E-04 (common carp) to 2.11E-04 (grass carp) for adults, which is within the acceptable range. The values of BCFs for all metals demonstrated that farmed carp muscle could not be considered a bioaccumulative tissue for heavy metals. The results indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals in the farmed carp species in North Iran were relatively low and did not cause considerable human health risks., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Length-weight and length-length relationships were estimated for eight fish species belonging to three families from the Jarrahi River in southwestern Iran. The study was performed between June 2009 and September 2011. Weight-length relationships were estimated using the logarithmic form of the equation W = aL b. The b values varied between 2.96 and 3.61 and determined as 3.42 for Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843; 3.33 for Alburnoides idignensis Bogutskaya and Coad, 2009; 2.85 for Barbus grypus Heckel, 1843; 3.61 for Barilius mesopotamicus Berg, 1932; 3.16 for Cyprinion kais (Heckel, 1843); 3.36 for Cyprinion macrostomum Heckel, 1843; 3.27 for Paraschistura nielseni (Nalbant and Bianco, 1998); and 2.96 for Glyptothorax silviae Coad, 1981. This study presents the first LWR and LLR references for these species in the Jarrahi River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive characteristics of touyeni Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843), a native cyprinid in the Shour River, Iran, were investigated by monthly sam- pling between July 2010 and June 2011. Among 815 specimens captured, the overall sex ratio was 1:1.96 (males:females). Monthly changes of the gonado-somatic index (GSI) and frequency distribution of egg diameter confirmed that spawning lasted from January to April. Results indicated that the age at first maturity for males is one year and for females two years. Fecundity increased with fish age, averages being 2591 for 1+ old females and 11552 eggs in mature 6+ old females. Correlation of absolute fecundity and body weight was high (R= 0.85). The absolute fecundity between all age groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population genetics of Petroleuciscus esfahani in Zayandeh Rood River, Iran were analysed using 120 samples of adult fish from four stations of the river Cheshmeh Dimeh (CHD), Khersoonak (KH), Chamgordan (CH) and Safaeye Bridge (SB) and 5 pairs of microsatellite primers. All loci showed polymorphism. A total number of 54 alleles were recorded across loci ranging from 6 at CnaB-030 to 17 at Ca3. The mean number of alleles per populations ranged from 9.6 in CHD to 8.6 in others. Mean observed heterozygosity at the five loci detected ranged from 0.92 to 1.00 which showed high level of genetic diversity in each population. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was obvious in most combinations (locus × population), mainly due to heterozygosity excess. The lowest and highest genetic distances were calculated between CHD-KH and CHD-CH populations, respectively. The results showed low but significant FST values between each pair of the populations. This investigation represented at least four separate populations of P. esfahani in the river which showed the effects of river landscape fragmentation on population genetic structure of P. esfahani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rutilus frisii kutum is a fish of the Cyprinidae Family which is native in Caspian Sea and commercially cultured in Iran. This study was conducted to investigate susceptibility of Caspian White Fish to Spring Viraemia of Carp Virus (SVCV) infection and to evaluate influence of different challenge routes on virulence of the virus. Fingerlings were infected by immersion, intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection, cohabitation and orally. Dead and surviving fish were collected for histological examination as well as for virus re-isolation by cell culture, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerization Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) analysis. The results indicated that immersion was the best infectious route of transmission with the highest mortality, whereas oral transmission showed the lowest mortality. The virus was also re-isolated from dead fish and identified by IFAT. In addition, histopathological changes including branchial, hepatic and splenic necrosis as well as glomerulonephritis and necrosis in kidney were observed in diseased fish tissues but not in the survivors. RT-PCR on samples obtained from surviving fish tissues detected viral genome in the fish surviving from immersion, i.p. injection and cohabitation challenges but not in the fish infected orally. In conclusion, Caspian White Fish are susceptible to infection by SVCV and virulence of the virus could be influenced by route of transmission. In addition, SVCV could persist in surviving fish, which may serve as reservoirs of the virus, transmitting infection to healthy fish population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Within the wide distribution of spirlin in Iran, populations of this species inhabit a great variety of habitats, including qanats. We hypothesized that qanats may contribute to habitat-specific variation in the life history of the fish. To test this, a total of 240 specimens of Alburnoides bipunctatus, caught in the qanat of Uzineh (northern Iran) from October 2007 to August 2008, were examined for life history attributes. The population had a 5-year life cycle. The weight-length relationship (WLR) was estimated as W = 0.0068TL3.2559 for males, W = 0.0079TL3.2067 for females, and W = 0.0072TL3.2387 for the population, having a positive allometric growth in all considered groups. The von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF), fit to back-calculated size at age data, were: Lt = 14.07(1 - e-0.27(t + 0.92)), Lt = 15.37(1 - e-0.23(t + 1.08)), and Lt = 14.83(1 - e-0.24(t + 1.04)) for males, females, and the population, respectively. The sex ratio was not significantly different from parity. The reproductive season, evaluated from the gonadosomatic index (GSI), extended from April to August, with 3 peaks in April, June, and August for females and 2 peaks in April and June for males. The absolute fecundity ranged between 234 and 7728 eggs with a mean of 1407 eggs. The relative fecundity ranged from 60 to 550 eggs g-1, with a mean value of 255 eggs g-1. The oocytes ranged in diameter from 0.50 to 1.70 mm with a mean value of 1.06 mm. Comparison of these results with those previously reported in the literature implies that the life history of the species is variable. This variability may be interpreted as phenotypic plasticity and respond to habitat characteristics to improve fitness locally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge about Alburnoides remains lacking relative to many other species, resulting in a lack of a systematic position and taxonomic diagnosis. Basic biological information for Alburnoides has been constructed, and it is necessary to understand further and obtain more information about this species. Its phylogenetic relationships are still debated and no molecular data have been used to study this taxon in Iran. A holistic approach for genetic methods was adopted to analyze possible spirlin population differences at selected centers in the south Caspian Sea basin of Iran. Methods: The phylogenetic relationships were determined based on 774 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 32 specimens of spirlin from nine locations in the south Caspian Sea drainage basin of Iran. The nucleotide sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. Results: The mitochondrial gene tree largely supports the existence of three major clades. The western populations (clade I) may be considered as Alburnoides eichwaldii, whereas the Talar river populations (clade II) are represented as Alburnoides sp.1 and the eastern populations (clade III) may be distinct taxa of Alburnoides sp.2. Conclusion: This molecular evidence supports the hypothesis that A. bipunctatus does not exist in the south Caspian Sea basin of Iran, and that the western and eastern populations are distinct taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of cytochrome b sequences of Carasobarbus species from Iran and adjacent areas was investigated. Two divergent haplotype groups were found for C. luteus. The first one is widespread and congruent with the biogeographical hypothesis of a recent isolation among the various populations as a consequence of rising sea levels following the last Pleistocene glaciation. The second one is restricted to the Khabur River in Syria. The possibility that one of these groups corresponds to C. albus is discussed, but we conclude that it is more likely that C. luteus is a single species that retained two divergent mitochondrial lineages. The mitochondrial sequence diversity found for C. kosswigi and C. sublimus is high, possibly due to small population size and consequent genetic drift. Carasobarbus kosswigi is paraphyletic with respect to C. sublimus, indicating a recent speciation event of these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tu'ini, Capoeta damascina, is a widespread species in the interior basins of Iran. To examine the morphometric variations residing within the taxon, six isolated river systems from the west, south, southwest, and centre of Iran were investigated: Ghárásu, Hánnã, Bãzoft, Eghlid, Ãbãdeh, and Gãmãsiyãb. A total of 240 adult fish specimens ≥180 mm standard length (females: 180-336; males: 186-304) were collected from March to June 2008. Based on the multivariate methods used (factor analysis, canonical variates analysis, and a classificatory discriminant analysis), the river samples were clearly separated into distinct groups. The Ghárásu River sample was separated into a distinct group by differences in inter-nasal distance (iND), inter-orbital distance (iOD), and barbel length; the Hánnã by iND, iOD, body depth (BD), minimum BD, caudal peduncle (CP) depth, CP width, and pectoral-anal distance; the Bãzoft by head depth, iND, CP length, and preanal length; the Eghlid by anal-caudal distance; the Ãbãdeh by postorbital length; and the Gãmãsiyãb River by preorbital length, dorsal fin height and base, eye diameter, BD, preventral length, and pectoral-ventral distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karyotype of the smallmouth lotak, Cyprinion kais Heckel, 1843 (Cyprinidae) was investigated by examining metaphase chromosomes. This study is the first karyological survey on this vulnerable fish species in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. The results can be used for population studies, management and conservation programs. The fish were caught by electrofishing from Godarkhosh River in Ilam province, western Iran, in April 2008 and transported live to the Ichthyology Laboratory of Isfahan University of Technology. Five fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), 4 μg g-1 bw with a 20-h interval to induce cell divisions. After 8 h in 20°C water, the fish were injected intraperitoneally with colchicine (25-50 μg g-1 bw) to depress cell divisions in the metaphase stage and left for 7 h before sacrificing. Kidney and gill epithelia were used for karyotype analyses. It was determined that C. kais has 2n = 50 chromosomes, consisting of 8 metacentric, 7 submetacentric, 3 subtelocentric and 7 telocentric chromosome pairs. Centromeric index, arm ratio and Fundamental Number (FN) were determined as 0-50, 1-∞, and 86, respectively. The shortest and longest chromosome was a telocentric and a submetacentric one, with 2.61 and 6.88 μm length, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 75 samples of two species of cyprinid fishes, Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp., were collected from three sections of the upper, middle and lower parts of the Kor River in the Fars province, and were analyzed for the determination of Pb, Hg, Cd and As concentrations by the Induction Coupled Plasma method. The average concentrations of Pb in muscle tissues of male Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp. were 0.77 ± 0.19, 0.41 ± 0.14 (mg kg- 1); while they were 1.03 ± 0.66, 0.42 ± 0.45 (mg kg- 1) for Hg, 0.08 ± 0.01, 0.08 ± 0.01(mg kg- 1) for Cd and 0.51 ± 0.06, 0.36 ± 0.11 (mg kg- 1) for As (Mean ± SE), respectively. In female Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta sp., the concentrations of Pb were 0.66 ± 0.20 and 0.41 ± 0.15 (mg kg- 1), Hg were 0.49 ± 0.45 and 0.32 ± 30 (mg kg- 1), Cd were 0.24 ± 0.01 and 0.26 ± 0.02 (mg kg- 1) and As were 0.39 ± 0.12 and 0.42 ± 0.13 (mg kg- 1), respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in mid sampling zone were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the two other zones; while no significant differences (P > 0.05) were seen in heavy metals assay between the two sexes and species. The results showed industrial activities around the mid sampling zone of Kor River have polluted the River and the maximum concentrations of Pb, Hg and As residues in fish muscles were 1.46, 0.64 and 1.34 mg kg- 1, which are higher than the maximum levels allowed in fish filets by Environment Protection Agency (EPA) (2, 1 and 5 mg kg- 1), and are therefore not suitable for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capoeta aculeata is a benthopelagic fresh-water fish that lives in subtropical climates and has a widely distribution in Iranian river basins. Hatchery production of fish for stocking is an important means of temporarily supplementing insufficient natural reproduction, thus help to maintain or restore eroded fish population. This study was done in May and June 2007 on captured brood fish from Zayandeh-Rood River, Iran in order to reach a suitable technique of artificial reproduction of C. aculeata. Caught brood fish were injected with carp pituitary extract at doses of 0.75 and 1.5 milligram per kilogram body weight of fish. Brood fish were tested for ovulation each 12 hours from final injection for 3 days, but no sing of readiness for spawning was observed. To gain confidence of experiment, the study was repeated after one month from the first try with new fish. The result, however, was the same and didn't attain to any success. Inadequate information about reproduction biology of this species is one of the most important reasons of the negative result. Furthermore, unsuitable hormone and dosages as well as inappropriate injection times can be probable causes of this failure that should be evaluated in later studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siah Mahi, Capoeta capoeta gracilis, is a predominant fish in the river systems of the south Caspian Sea basin. Although there is evidence of the geographical divergence of this taxon, no information is available on morphological differences within the subspecies populations. The study was designed to evaluate this differentiation in the Shirud River system of the south Caspian Sea basin in Iran. A total of 120 fish specimens (≥ 180 mm) were collected from the Shirud River; 33 morphometric and 10 meristic characteristics were recorded for each specimen. The standardized data were subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) and variables with eigenvector ≥ 0.74 used as input for analysis of clustering, which grouped the 120 fish specimens into five distinct clusters. The overall random assignment of individuals into their original groups was high (86.7%), indicating that these specimens are highly divergent from each other. The proportion of individuals correctly classified into their original groups was 90, 81.8, 85.7, 100 and 76% for groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. There were significant differences in nine morphometic characteristics among the five multivariate groups. Pectoral-anal length was the only characteristic that, based on all possible pair combinations of the five groups, could be individually distinguishable. With regard to meristic characteristics, a Kruskal–Wallis test showed that there were no significant differences among medians of the five multivariate groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic cough, with a duration of coughing of more than 8 weeks in adults, affects 5-10% of the general population. One of the most common causes of chronic cough is cough-variant asthma, which accounts for approximately one-third of cases. This phenotype of asthma is characterized by extreme sensitivity of the neuronal pathways mediating cough to environmental irritants, which results in an urge to cough. This case is an example of cough-variant asthma presenting with allergic shiners due to her severe cough., Case Presentation: A 38-year-old Iranian woman, who was well before the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, presented with a nonproductive hacking cough that had begun after excessive use of antiseptic solutions. The only positive finding on physical examination was a reddish-purple rash on and around the eyelids mimicking a heliotrope rash, which had probably evolved due to the severity of the cough. The results of the pulmonary function test were within normal limits. Methacholine challenge test and chest x-ray were both normal. Chest high-resolution computed tomography revealed hyperinflation and tree-in-bud opacities. All other laboratory tests were normal. Because of the reversibility in her pulmonary function test, despite normal baseline parameters, asthma treatment was initiated, resulting in disappearance of the cough and the eye discoloration, being indicative of the correct diagnosis and proper treatment., Conclusion: Patients with cough-variant asthma may often have no other classic symptoms of asthma other than cough., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The distribution of the Persian bleak, Alburnus hohenackeri Kessler, 1870 in Iran is described. During a survey from 2009 to 2012, we captured 30 specimens of A. hohenackeri from Choghakhor Wetland in Tigris River basin and Kardeh Dam in Harirud River basin of Iran. This is the first report of the occurrence of this species in these localities. The main distribution range in Iran is the southern part of the Caspian Sea from where it has been translocated to the other Iranian basins along with exotic Chinese carps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alburnus atropatenae Berg, 1925 is reported for the first time from the River Ghareh-Chay in the Namak basin, central Iran. Previously, this species has only been reported from the Lake Orumiyeh basin, in northwest Iran. In this report twenty-nine specimens were caught on 8 August 2012. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the specimens were similar to those reported elsewhere for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates some of the basic data on the variability of blood parameter in adult kutum specimens found in Valiabad River in Iran. It offers information on the materials and methods used in the study as well as its statistical analysis where differences in mean values of hematological variables were compared using the student t-test. It reveals the differences in the blood values of the species and similar differences on the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH).

Due to the importance of Caspian kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) in the nutrition and health of consumers, a study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of mercury and its associated health risk for this species, its predators, and the people. Samples were collected from the fish at the four best-selling stations, Bandar Torkaman, Bander Anzali, Fereydunkenar, and Chalos, with mean mercury concentrations in the samples from the stations being 49.4, 132.6, 103.6, and 107.6 μg/g respectively. Mercury in the muscle tissue of the collected samples increased from east to west in the southern Caspian Basin. The mercury concentrations at all stations were below the permissible international levels for this heavy metal, suggesting no or low potential health risk. However, due to the toxicity and other harmful properties of mercury, it is necessary to monitor the values of this element as well as other pollutants in fish species to assess the health risk.

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the digestive tract of commercial Kutum fish, Rutilus frisii kutum was investigated. Fish samples, ranging from 33 to 48.5 cm fork length which sold for human consumption, were collected from local fish markets in Bandar-e Torkaman (the south-eastern of Caspian Sea) on November 2017, and March 2018. The MPs were characterized using optical microscopy, NR staining, and SEM-EDS for number, shape, color, surface morphology, and elemental composition. On average, 11.4 MP items per fish (0.015 items per 1 g fish wet weight) were found in Kutum's stomach at an individual detection rate of 80%. Around 66% of all identified MP items were < 500 μm, and 53% possessed light colors. Morphological researches indicated that fish ingested the degradation fragments from larger plastic pieces, fibers, and manufactured microbeads. Microfibers are the most dominant items accounting for over 75% of all MPs. The SEM images indicated the various degrees of erosions upon environmental exposure. Some MPs had surface cracks, broken margins, scaly appearances, and obvious pores. Considering the commercial importance which the Kutum plays for Iran's fishery, the potential effect of MPs on the trophic food web, particularly for human consumption and health, should be urgently investigated., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new bitterling from the Rhodeus amarus group is described based on morphological and molecular data. Rhodeus caspius sp. nov. from the Caspian Sea, Urmia Lake and the upper Tigris River drainages in Iran, is distinguished from its closest congeners (R. amarus and R. colchicus) by having short post-dorsal distance and caudal peduncle length and long head length. It is also characterized by one fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a K2P nearest neighbor distance of 1% to R. amarus and R. colchicus in the mtDNA COI barcode region.

This study describes the length-weight and length-length relationships for three cyprinid species from the Bibi-Sayyedan River (western Isfahan provinces, Iran). The slope parameter ( b) values in the length-weight relationship equations were determined as 3.0729 for Alburnus mossulensis Heckel, 1843; 2.8509 for Barbus lacerta Heckel, 1843; and 3.0864 for Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843). This study presents the first LWR and LLR references for these species in the Bibi-Sayyedan River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garra roseae, new species, is described from the stream Tang-e-Sarhe in the Iranian Makran region. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Middle East by lacking barbels, having a small mental disc, 42-58 total scales along the lateral line, 24-30 scales along the predorsal midline, and 20-24 circumpeduncular scales. It is further characterised by having five diagnostic nucleotide substitutions and a minimum K2P distance of 5.39% to G. rossica and 5.49% to G. nudiventris in the mtDNA COI barcode region. Garra phryne from eastern Iran is considered to be a synonym of G. nudiventris.

Morphometric, meristic and molecular (COI) characters of Alburnus zagrosensis, from the upper Karun River drainage in Iran, largely overlap or are identical with those of A. sellal, a species widely distributed in the Qweik River and the Persian Gulf basin, including the Karun River drainage. As no character states could be found to clearly distinguish these species, A. zagrosensis should be treated as a junior synonym of A. sellal.

Length-weight relationships were estimated for six cyprinid species of Iran. One of these species is endemic to Iran and the L- W parameters for three of the species are given for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Length-weight (LWR) and length-length (LLR) relationships was estimated for three fish species collected in Chahnimeh reservoirs located in the city of Zabol, Iran. The values of the parameter slope (b) in the length-weight relationship were determined 2.45 for Crossocheilus latius, 2.97 for Schizocypris altidorsalis and 3.14 for Schizothorax zarudnyi. The relationships between TL, FL and SL were all linear (for all cases: r2 > 0.93). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the parasitic infection status of cyprinid fish, Capoeta damascina in Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. Methods A total of 12 cyprinid fish (7 females and 5 males) were collected from Gomban spring-stream, Kor River Basin, Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The collected fish were dissected carefully and their internal organs such as liver, gonad, muscle, abdominal lobes, whole viscera and digestive tract were surveyed parasitologically. Results One female cyprinid fish out of 12 fish was infected with three nematodes. Two nematodes (larvae) were identified as Contracaecum sp. which were attached firmly to the outer part of intestine and another adult helminth was recognized as Capillaria sp. which was recovered from digestive content. Conclusions This study is the first record indicating that cyprinid fish acts as a new host for recovered nematodes. Further helminthological investigations are highly recommended in different parts of Iran in order to expand our knowledge about helmintic parasites of cyprinid fish and their role in transmission of diseases to human and animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]